Orange Sauce for Orange Chicken

A glass bowl of orange smoothie garnished with orange zest, placed on a dark plate with a wooden spoon and orange slices in the background.

Want to make homemade orange sauce for an orange chicken recipe? This is perfect for making a small batch of delicious Chinese orange chicken made at home. It’s a sweet and tangy orange sauce for your favorite crispy fried chicken, but way better than the take-out version. This sauce adds the perfect burst of citrusy goodness when tossed with crispy chicken or drizzled over veggies.

Course Sauces and Spices

Cuisine American, Asian, Chinese, International

Keyword batch, chicken pieces, chinese takeout, cornstarch, crispy, flake, fried chicken, orange chicken, orange chicken recipe, orange juice, orange sauce, orange zest, rice vinegar, small bowl, soy sauce, sweet and tangy orange sauce, tablespoon, thicken, whisk, zest

Prep Time 10

Cook Time 15

Servings Portions

Calories 75kcal

Author Zuzana Paar

Equipment

Ingredients

2 Tablespoons Broth
1 1/2 Tablespoons Rice Wine Vinegar
1 Tablespoon Brown Sweetener
1 Tablespoon Soy Sauce
1 Tablespoon Orange Zest about half an orange, finely grated
1 1/2 Pieces Minced Garlic Cloves
1 Tablespoon Sesame Oil
1/8 teaspoon Fresh Ginger or a pinch of ground ginger
1/8 teaspoon Xanthan Gum

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

Start by measuring out all your ingredients to keep things smooth and stress-free. Since this is a small-batch recipe, you won’t need much, just a few simple ingredients to get that perfect balance of sweet, tangy, and savory. Having everything ready makes the cooking process quick and easy.
Heat a small saucepan over medium heat and add a touch of oil. Toss in minced garlic and let it cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant, but be careful not to burn it. This step helps infuse the sauce with a deep, rich flavor right from the start.
Now, stir in the sweetener, broth, orange zest, and fresh or ground ginger. These ingredients bring out the signature tangy, citrusy taste that makes the orange sauce so delicious. Let them simmer together to blend and develop their full flavor.
Add the soy sauce and a splash of rice wine vinegar, stirring everything together. If you're using xanthan gum, sprinkle a tiny bit and whisk well to prevent clumps. Let the sauce simmer and thicken until it reaches a glossy, slightly sticky consistency.
For a silky-smooth sauce, use a hand blender or whisk together everything until it is well combined. This step ensures that all the flavors blend perfectly and gives you that takeout style orange sauce texture. Once smooth and thickened, your sauce is ready to serve with your favorite dish.

Video

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Notes

Use Fresh Ingredients: Fresh orange zest and ginger add a more vibrant flavor compared to dried versions.
Adjust Thickness: If the sauce is too thin, add a little more xanthan gum or cornstarch; if it is too thick, stir in a splash of broth.
Balance the Sweetness: Taste as you go. If you like it sweeter, add more sweetener; if you want more tang, increase the vinegar.
Let It Rest: The sauce thickens slightly as it cools, so don’t overdo the thickening while cooking.

Nutrition